president obama leaves this morning for johannesburg where he'll tend tomorrow's massive public memorial. former presidents clinton, bush and carter will also be in attendance along with more than 50 heads of states. the head of south africa's national defense force says the country is prepared for the challenge of keeping so many dignitaries safe. 11,000 soldiers have been deployed around the country to protect the mourners. >> we believe that the people will be watching how south africa will perform. >> reporter: this makeshift memorial outside nelson mandela's former home is one of the places where south africans have been gathering since his death. a weekend of mourning was topped off on sunday with a day of pray. south africans of all races and religious backgrounds sang and prayed for the man credited with uniting a country once bitterly divided. >> nelson mandela is a man who fought for me when i was not born yet. >> reporter: mandela's ex-wife was one of those attending prayer services. >> wusa9 will be covering a week of tributes to knell zahn mandel -- nelson mandela both here